Fastening device



NOV. 30, 1943." I CARLSQN 2,335,482

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1940 152062722 071 GZZo-fizuflQrZsofl, (2y .miar-kl Patented Nov. 30, 1943 FASTENING DEVICE Gustav A. Carlson, Chicago, 111., assignor to The Boye Needle Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 26, 1940, Serial No. 371,746

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a fastening device. It is particularly useful as a stitchholder, marker, safety pin, and similar devices.

An object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple and effective fastening means which provides a minimum of projections or obstructions which might be engaged by threads, yarn, etc. A further object is to provide a fastening member which will permit a long series of loops to be engaged and held, the loops being shifted about a long shank provided with a curved bend. A further object is to provide a fastening means effective as a safety pin or other similar device with the point thereof confined within a simple head structure guarding it and looking it against unintentional disengagement. Another object is to provide a fastening device wherein the retaining head is formed by an integral extension of the leg body, a small loop thereof being made effective as a retaining guard. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a fastening device embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a broken enlarged top plan view thereof; Fig. 3, a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention; and Fig. 4, an enlarged broken top plan view of the head portion of the modification shown in Fig. 3.

In the illustration given in Fig. 1, a single body member It! forms an upper leg I I and a lower leg I2, the two legs being connected by an integral bend I3.

The lower leg I2 is provided with a blunt end I4 to prevent it from piercing or engaging yarn as it is passed through loops formed by stitches. It is adapted to spring upward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig, 1.

The upper leg I I is provided at its forward end with a head I5. The head I5 may be formed integrally with leg II, as illustrated, or, if desired, may be formed as a separate member and secured to leg II. In the illustration given, the forward end of leg II is turned downwardly to form a loop, the loop consisting of a downwardly and inwardly extending loop portion IB and an upwardly and rearwardly extending loop portion II, the portion ll being offset laterally from the portion I6 to provide a space therebetween adapted to receive the free end portion of leg I2. .At its top, the loop portion I1 is curved back into engagement with the leg II and secured thereto by welding I8, solder, or other means.

In operation, the free end of leg I2, when released from head [5, normally extends below head I5 and is readily inserted through loops formed by stitching, the stitches being passed all round the leg I2, bend I3, and leg II up to the loop portion I'I. Thus, a very considerable number of loops may be held in the holder. When the holder is loaded with stitches as described, the end portion of leg I2 is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and moved laterally downwardly so as to bring it within the V-notch provided by the lower portion of head I5. In this position, the leg I2 is securely locked against unintentional disengagement. It will be noted that the leg I2 must travel an extremely long and vertical movement and almost touch the upper leg II before it is released. At the same time, it is extremely easy to bring the free end of leg I2 into locking engagement with head I5, since the loop portion Il serves as a guide against which the leg may be swung before it is given a downward movement behind loop portion l6.

Th head I 5 presents aminimum of projecting surfaces, the only joint being that formed by the weld I8 and this being polished to form an extremely smooth union with leg II. Thus, the greatest possible portion of the member II) can be utilized for the holding of stitches while at the same time effectively locking the stitches against release.

The device is useful, not only as a stitchholder as mentioned, but also as a stitch marker, or as a fastening device for other things.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, the structure is very much the same. The point, however of leg I2 is sharpened, as illustrated, at I9. Further, the loop portion I5 and the loop portion II have their lower portions widened, as indicated by the numeral 20, to provide a protecting band or sheath for receiving the point I9.

In the operation of the fastening device or safety pin, shown in Fig. 3, the pin portion I2 is passed through the fabric to be secured and the pin is then pressed laterally and toward the upper leg II so as to enable the point to clear the leg portion I6. It is then allowed to move under the force of the spring downwardly into the wide sheath portion I2 where it is securely held and guarded. To permit release, it is necessary to press the leg II to the extreme upper position indicated by dotted lines in order to enable it to clear the leg portion I6. Thus, there is a very effective guard against unintentional disengagement. At the same time, the inclined loop portion I! permits easy disengagement and engagement when this is desired, the portion l1 serving as a guide against which the point of leg I2 is pressed, permitting easy upward or downward movement with a certainty that the same will clear loop portion [5 as it approaches the upper leg ll.

While I have illustrated but two specific embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that a great many embodiments may be employed while using the same principle illustrated, and further the devices may be put to a great many uses not herein described. It will be noted that the new head eliminates the points, corners, and crevices of the stamped metal safety pin head now employed and in which thread and yarn tend to catch and cling. The smooth loop provided by the new structure eliminates catching of thread and yarn and further permits the shank portion of the legs to be utilized to the fullest extent for engagement with the material, yarn, etc. While the loop portion I3 is shown as a small curved bend and the same is desired when the device is used as a stitch-holder, etc., it will be understood that a double loop may be formed instead where the device is used as a safety pin or for other fastening uses.

The opening in the head formed by the offsetting of one loop portion with respect to the other may be made either a righthand or left-hand opening to suit any specific use. It will be noted that the pin or leg l2 cannot be moved through the head from one side to the other, but must be engaged and disengaged from one side only. Thus there is eliminated the accidental disengageinent commonly experienced with a safety pin head Where the pin is moved into locking engagement with the head and out of locking engagement on the other side thereof under the force of the pressure exerted.

While in the foregoing specification, I have illustrated two methods of utilizing the invention,

it will be understood that those skilled in the art will readily employ other embodiments departing widely therefrom in detail, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

In a device of the character set forth, a spring member having two substantially parallel legs united by an integral bend, the upper of said legs having its end portion bent at an inclined angle downwardly and rearwardly and then upwardly and rearwardly to form a closed substantially V-shaped loop with the point of the V lying rear-'- wardly of the forward end portion of the upper leg, said lower leg terminating in a free end and being long enough to substantially reach but clear the upper portion of the downwardly and rearwardly extending V leg member and being adapted to be received within the V point there of.

GUSTAV A. CARLSQNl 

